State Tourism Office and 1Berkshire Announce Massachusetts Whale Trail

New trail connects whale watches, museums, tours, and heritage sites in the Commonwealth

BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MA – 1Berkshire is excited to partner with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) as they roll out a first-of-its-kind Massachusetts Whale Trail. This is a major collaboration among Bay State tourism destinations for the promotion of assets stretching from Provincetown to Pittsfield. Telling the story of the Commonwealth through its connection to whales, the Massachusetts Whale Trail features nearly 40 stops along the coast as well as a literary tangent connecting sites in Western Massachusetts. Whale Trail partners include museums, attractions, historic sites, educational centers, and tours.

“Although at first, visitors to our area might not automatically think of the Berkshires as part of this story, but indeed it is. Arrowhead, the home of Herman Melville is where Moby Dick was written. That book and Melville himself, are an important part of the whaling story of MA. This is why we are happy to be collaborating with MOTT and our other regional tourism councils on this trail,” stated Lindsey Schmid, Director of Marketing at 1Berkshire.

The Massachusetts Whale Trail boasts several regional sites and experiences associated with the beloved marine mammal, of which there are currently 11 breeds off the Commonwealth’s coast and account for over 800,000 visitors annually. The trail contains eight stops in the Berkshires, including Arrowhead Museum and Monument Mountain. These museums and attractions emphasize the region’s connection to whales by creating opportunities for visitors to peek through the lens of Herman Melville’s maritime Massachusetts during the 19th century.

“We’re thrilled to announce the new Massachusetts Whale Trail,” says Francois-Laurent Nivaud, Executive Director of Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “The Whale Trail captures the maritime spirit of Massachusetts and offers a new way for visitors to engage with our long and storied connection to whales.”

To promote the Massachusetts Whale Trail, MOTT has launched a website, https://www.massvacation.com/whale-trail/ and developed itineraries highlighting interactive experiences for visitors by theme. Among some of the early itineraries released is a literary enthusiasts track. Another itinerary is for outdoor adventurers, with whale watching tours and sites to experience marine life first hand. Sites along the trail will also be launching special promotions and packages in support of the trail, using the hashtag #whaletrailMA.

For more details about the Massachusetts Whale Trail, visit https://www.massvacation.com/whale-trail/.

About 1Berkshire
1Berkshire is a county-wide organization focused on economic development and promotion of the region as a preferred place to visit, to live, and to grow a business. It provides programs that connect businesses with each other and with potential customers, as well as works to develop future leaders and support entrepreneurs. For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com.

About the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
MOTT is the state agency dedicated to promoting tourism in the Commonwealth. MOTT’s mission is to promote Massachusetts as both a leisure and business travel destination for domestic and international markets and to contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy. MOTT works closely with 16 regional tourism councils across the state, and with larger tourism alliances such as Discover New England and BrandUSA.